TENNIS: Bienvenue à Roland-Garros

[JaneJeffer]

Just realised the tennis ball emoji is missing from the app. Merde. Off to complain!

He must be exhausted and gutted!

Poor Albert

I’ve also been multitasking - made a chilli, sorted laundry, tidied up - not been arguing with Mumsnet

now it’s Rafa time - just a nice, uneventful win would be great Rafa

I always worry when Rafa does those jumps!

They keep talking about how unprepared Rafa is. He was equally as unprepared in 2020- he lost in the QF in Rome- there were no other clay tournaments played.

I knpw this time around, he has the foot issue. But that time, he'd been stuck in isolation in Spain for ages and not played anywhere for months.

Can this match start already!
It's late enough for me as it is.
My days of being able to stay up to watch matches late into the night are dwindling.

Fizzy uneventful would be great.

I hate the statue, actually, Sam. It looks nothing like him, and I think it's a jinx.

I’m clinging onto the fact that he won the AO Raahh when no one gave him a chance but it’s going to be tall order for him to do that again (especially with the foot worry )

come on Rafa!

oh no they’re taking about the scary statue of Rafa <shudder>

They've had ages to get to their seats- all that pre-match stuff- and still turn up late.

i wouldn't let them in.

AO was phenomenal, Fizzy. I was so pleased he got his second title there, and got the 21st slam, ahead of Djok.

I just wish he'd not gone to IW really, where he got a random 'other' injury- and de-railed his favourite part of the season.

I know Raahh - I still can’t believe he played with a fractured rib

Poor Moutet looks like he's being fed to the lions.

It's a big deal for him, this match. I don't mind if he wins a couple of games.
No more, mind.

"He's keen to show Rafa what he can do"

oh that's nice Jane.

he's won a game. That should be enough now.

It's quite subdued out there, in the crowd. Considering it's Rafa, and a Frenchman.

Rafa means business.

VAMOS- I would appreciate an early night.

It's a shame that Taylor is out, not sure clay is really his surface though.

I am too soft. I feel really sorry for Moutet. Even though I obviously don't want him to win.

I'm glad he has had the chance to play Rafa though- playing Rafa, as a Frenchman, on PC. Doesn't get better than that. But the scoreline probably won't be great.

Unless a miracle happens. Or Rafa's foot starts hurting.

I'm more worried that Rafa's running around too much and will hurt his foot

Anyway he's got one now. That will do him.

No, he really doesn't have to try so hard. I don't think Moutet is going to take him to 5 sets, somehow.

Jane yes, he avoided the bagel- and many haven't- so that's a good thing.

(There's still another set to go, but I don't want to upset him).

Rafa's top is very superman

I know what you mean Raahh - a lot of these young players are similar ages to my DSs so I do feel for them in these types of situations

I think maybe Moutet is too much of a Rafa fan boy - he used to imitate sleeveless Rafa

It’s looking good for my early night though (hopefully!)

Fizzy he used to sleep with a Rafa tank top.

Erm- what's happening here??

Don't be making the match longer, Rafa. I don't feel that sorry for him.

You've let him break you. He can dine out on that for a while.

Now break him back.

Hope I haven’t spoken too soon …